The flurry of activity surrounding the pet food recall announced in March has slowed but veterinarians advise clients to watch pets closely. Veterinary specialists say pets that ate tainted foods could develop kidney-related problems, such as urinary stones.

Ask veterinary professionals for more information about the recall and what tests are needed to ensure your pet’s long-term health.

Initially, some pets that ate tainted foods did not show signs of illness but test results showed unique crystals in their urine. The crystals were caused by consumption of melamine and melamine-related compounds found in several types of pet food.

In June, a panel of veterinary specialists from across North America met at the 25th American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) conference in Seattle, Wash., and discussed the possibility that crystals caused by the consumption of tainted foods could cause kidney stones down the line.

“There may be a chronic manifestation of the disease,” explained Linda Ross, DVM, MS, DACVIM, and Shelly Vaden, DVM, PhD, DACVIM.

To protect pets and treat illness early, veterinary professionals advise pet owners to ask for tests that assess blood and kidney function. For a complete list of recalled foods, visit the Food and Drug Administration website.

The best course of action is to talk with your veterinary professionals today to obtain reliable information about the recall and how it might affect your pet’s health.

This article originally appeared in PetsMatter Volume 2 Issue 3, published by the American Animal Hospital Association. Copyright © 2009 AAHA. Find out more.